Oscar-Nominated Short Films Back in Theaters!
The Academy Awards, presented by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are among the most prestigious accolades in the world of cinema. Nominations are announced in multiple categories, including Best Short Film. These short films are screened in curated programs featuring several titles, offering audiences a diverse range of emotions and inspiring stories condensed into a brief yet powerful format. Here are this season’s best shorts competing for the coveted statuettes—an experience best enjoyed on the big screen!
Each story, brought to life with a unique animation style, takes us on a journey through different facets of human nature. Beautiful Men follows three brothers struggling with insecurities that ultimately lead them to undergo a joint… hair transplant. In the Shadow of the Cypress delves into the emotional complexity of a father-daughter relationship. Magic Candies reminds us that everyone deserves to be heard. Meanwhile, the touching yet absurdly humorous The Marvelous Journey poses the question: what does it really take to move forward? And finally, a nostalgic glimpse into childhood—when kissing was still utterly gross—introducing Yuck!
Beautiful Men, Nicolas Keppens and Brecht Van Elslande, Belgium, France, Holland, 2023, 18’
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Three balding brothers travel to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. Stuck with each other in a hotel far from home, their insecurities grow faster than their hair.
In the Shadow of the Cypress, Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi, Iran, 2023, 20’
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A former captain suffering from PTSD is raising his daughter alone in a modest seaside home. Despite his deep desire to be a devoted and caring father, the veteran struggles to fulfill his role the way he wishes. One morning, their lives change forever when an unexpected event occurs—one that could bring both the promise of change and hope or an even greater burden. The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Magic Candies, Daisuke Nishio and Takashi Washio, Japan, 2024, 21’
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The children in the park never invite Dong-Dong to play with them, but he doesn’t mind. He has his glass marbles and his own world. One day, he buys a bag of colorful candies, and as soon as he eats one, an old sofa starts talking to him. To his surprise, everything around him—people, animals, and objects—has something to say. With each candy, Dong-Dong discovers new voices, including his own.
Wander to Wonder, Nina Gantz and Stienette Bosklopper, Holland, Belgium, France, Great Britain, 2023, 13’
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Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton are the miniature stars of a popular 1980s children's TV show. After the sudden death of their creator, they find themselves alone in the studio, surrounded by crumbling sets and worn-out costumes. Determined not to disappoint their fans, they decide to continue filming new episodes on their own—each one becoming increasingly bizarre. Renowned actor Toby Jones lends his voice to one of the characters. The film has already won over 40 awards and had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Yuck!, Loïc Espuche and Juliette Marquet, France, 2024, 13’
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Yuck. Couples kissing on the lips are gross. And the worst thing is that it's hard to escape this spectacle: right before the kiss, the lips become so pink and shiny. Ugh! Little Léo laughs at this fact, like all the kids at summer camp, but he also has a secret that he will protect at all costs: in fact, Léo desperately wants to try kissing too. The world premiere of the film took place at the Berlinale Film Festival.
